Dima

not to criticize the deal or anything, just fyi for others, they marked up the MF from .0027 to .003 which would be over $1000 in total. This markup is also negotiable.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

Yes, dealers are still playing with the numbers. As far as I can tell April is still .0027

I did bring it up when sitting down with my SA. He wasn't budging and I felt I made up for it in other ways with less out of pocket upfront.

ylli101

link to the car?

eatmydust

Whats the monthly though...

Dima

@alexasa Did you connect the car to T-Mobile? is it unlimited data?

Dima

FYI: wheel / tire insurance for this car is over $4000 for 3 years!

flocons

So for all you lucky folk who have had their cars for a week or more by now - I want to know: Are you happy with this car? There's all the tangible factors that have been discussed above, but how does the car MAKE YOU FEEL? I'm coming from the VAG universe, where my favorite car up until this point is the Golf R. Every day when I walk out my front door, I see the car and it made me smile. That's all I want. I understand this is a different beast. It's ultimately going to cost me twice as much (up here in Canada), and I'm giving up a bit off the hop in a straight line. All of that really is just numbers on paper for me. Is this car going to make me smile? Does it make you smile?

I'd also want to hear some comparisons to the CLA45 for anyone who has driven both.

Thanks!

Dragula

I love the car. It looks so good in person. Pictures don't do it justice. It feels really premium and I can't wait to drive it every day .

It's a head turner. Mine is starling so it definitely stands out. I get compliments all the time. A random guy yesterday told me how sexy it looks lol.

I've only done a little over 400 miles so I haven't driven it hard yet but I can't wait to hear and feel what it's like in S+

js_cls

Beautiful car, can’t go wrong with Starling Blue.

flocons

What do you guys think is the worst color for this car out of the ones offered?

BenjaminKohl

https://express.mbwhiteplains.com/ex...requency=month
A dealer near me has a non night package C43 with some nice equipmemnt, but correct me if I'm wrong, does it not appear this car has the full black grill from the night package II?

flocons

Oh yeah..that's weird, especially when the trim on the rest of the car is not blacked out.

Uncle D

I'd also be very interested in impressions from those that have driven both the CLA 45 and the C43. I'm currently in a '22 CLA 45 and I love it, but getting in and out is a bit difficult when you're 6'4". Once you're in, there's plenty of room, but I'm thinking about moving to a C43 when my lease is up in August for some easier ingress/egress (not getting any younger). Same engine, but in a larger car has me worried about what I might be giving up in quickness/handling. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Dima

The engines have some differences: C43 has electric turbo while yours uses conventional, the c43 has about 25 hp more + 13 or 18hp additional on demand.
However, according to MB, yours is faster 0-60. I have no explanation yet, weight would not account for it.

mercedesmax

CLA45 handles better. Full AMG suspension setup. C43 will ride smoother and will be quieter.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

I'm 6'4 and while the headroom and legroom is ample compared to the CLA it's not that easy to get in and out of with the performance seats. It's probably easier with the regular seats but I don't have much seat time in one. I have really bad memories getting in and out of the CLA banging my knee on the console - that will not happen in the C43.

It isn't going to feel as agile as the CLA45 but it makes up for that in other ways. Much more refined and planted feeling.

Uncle D

Thanks for the pics. That's exactly the color I would want with the night package. I just wish there was an option for black wheels. I really like the wheels I have on my CLA 45. Other than that, perfect. 😁👍

Uncle D

That was my expectation. While I don't want to give up performance, the CLA45 is not quiet by any means. I would actually appreciate a little more refinement (until I switch to S or S+). Exactly why I've been looking at the C43. Thanks!

Uncle D

I have to turn my back to the car, plant my butt in the seat, duck, slide in, and swivel around to get in my CLA45. Reverse process gets me out which can be difficult in a parking lot with a vehicle next to you. I imagine it looks pretty comical to anyone witnessing it. My test vehicle at work is a 206, but I've only driven it once (from a parking lot into a bay). I need to spend some more time getting in and out of it.

Please tell me more about the performance seats. My CLA45 has the standard seats in leather (I didn't have a choice). I'm not planning any autocross or track time with my next car so I'm wondering if it's worth the money to upgrade the seats. I get that they are more supportive, but are the performance seats more comfortable overall (think long drives). Also, what's the main differences between the two levels of performance seats? It's pretty much impossible to go to a dealer and try out the seats because of the low stock on AMG vehicles.

Thanks, Uncle D

Uncle D

The M139 engine in the CLA 45 has an e-turbo. You can hear it spin down when you shut off the car. If you open the driver's side door (probably any door) with the car running, you also hear the same spin down of the turbo (love the sound).

The C43 has the same M139 engine, but it's tuned to 402 with the extra 13 coming from the hybrid assist.

The M139L that's in the 45S puts out 417 hp and that's coming to the US for the 2024 refresh of the CLA. Would have loved to see the M139L with hybrid assist in the C43 to bump the hp up to 430. Perhaps that will come later.

I was thinking about getting a CLA 45S when they come out next year, but recently I've been looking at the C43 for the extra room and refinement (and I wouldn't have to wait until next year to get one).

Uncle D

I think the blacked out grill can be ordered as an option. Looks strange though...

eatmydust

You will be losing quickness and handling. However the handling in c43 would be more refined. The cla45 is wildly fast. The new c43 is actually slightly slower then the outgoing c43, and much slower to launch then a cla45. I mean cla45 is getting 3.7 0 to 60 easily which is like super car territory haha

andyberger87

I don't want to be the "debbie downer" in the group but I'm semi-disappointed in the C43 and here's why. Let's start with pros...

PROS

1. Interior amenities and quality. It feels like it's $10-15k more expensive than it is and outclasses every other car in it's segment.
2. AMG-ness. It's a real AMG through and through this time and doesn't feel like the AMG-lite the W205 was. You feel special in it.
3. Handling. Best in its class and rear axle steering was a really nice addition this generation. You feel it but it also doesn't feel "on rails"

CONS

1. Transmission. This is the most critical issue for me and it's unacceptable for MB to release such a clunky transmission for this price. The 9-speed MCT is awful and it being wet clutch and not a torque converter makes its very jarring and jerky at low to mid speeds. I've tried driving in all modes, but it's simply unpleasant to drive in local conditions. While I'm sure there is SW coming to support mapping, I don't think MB should have released a car that drives almost where it feels unfinished. I'm even considering pursuing CA lemon law as the car shouldn't behave the way it does when I'm driving in these low-to-moderate speeds. At hwy speed it's great but it feels Jekyll and Hyde. This is still a mid-range AMG C-Class, not a Black Series, and should feel smoother.
2. Creaks and Hard Plastics in the interior.
3. "T" on the "Turbo" badges are loosely glued onto the car meaning they may spray off during a car wash.
4. Gas mileage. For all the electrified tech in it, it's pretty subpar versus an M340i or S4. I'm barely getting 23.

Hope this helps everyone.

Dima

Did you check with the dealer to see if you have the latest SW? Also, see if you can drive another one to compare.

andyberger87

That's the plan but honestly I don't think there is any SW on the immediate horizon. I'm not accepting this is how the 9G should operate at low-to-moderate speeds. It's just flat out uncomfortable and annoying and I won't accept the hard earned money I'm paying for it....neither should anyone else.

I'm rather cut my losses.